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Public commenters question $30,000 camera purchase, suggest water and fire spending instead of tax increase
Summary
During the Aug. 4 Truth-in-Taxation hearing, residents urged council to reconsider prior expenditures (including a roughly $30,000 Flock camera purchase) and suggested directing funds to the fire department or water and sewer upgrades rather than the sheriff contract.
Several residents used the public hearing on Aug. 4 to press council on budget priorities as Washington Terrace considers a 6.7% property tax rate increase to raise $98,100 for the sheriff contract. Kathryn Craynor, listed in the attendance roster, said she was disappointed few residents attend hearings and questioned recent spending: "She stated that she does an excellent job, why would Council vote to spend $30,000 on the Flock Cameras that we didn’t need and maybe could have put off."
Another in-person commenter identified as Jerry Kenedy said he did not support the increase and suggested that city funds might be better spent on the fire department or on modernization of water and sewer systems. Staff reported no live Zoom commenters during the hearing and City Recorder Amy Rodriguez read two emailed comments from Trena Held and Kathryn Held into the record. Council members acknowledged the public concerns but reiterated the current proposal is specifically to meet the sheriff contract increase and maintain existing policing coverage.
The council will review the public input and reconvene on Aug. 18, 2026 for a final budget vote.
